Ennis native scoops highly coveted ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award in hairdressing category
THE NATIONAL Apprenticeship Office has awarded Ennis woman and hairdressing apprentice at Clare’s Brigit Haren Hair and Beauty Laoibhse O’Malley a top category award in the Generation Apprenticeship national ‘Apprentice of Year’ awards 2023.
Laoibhse was one of 14 finalists who won a prestigious award, out of a record 222 exceptional nominees put forward for a 2023 ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award from across every county in Ireland.
Some of the diverse areas represented in each category included leading industries representing Hospitality, Food and Healthcare, Hairdressing, Finance and Insurance, ICT, Property Services, Recruitment and Sales, Manufacturing Engineering, Biopharma, Logistics and Motor, Electrical and Construction.
Longford native Hazel Johnston, Manufacturing Engineering apprentice with DePuy Synthes Cork took home the second-ever national title at the independently judged Generation Apprenticeship awards, standing as the first-ever female winner of the highly-coveted ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award.
Pat O’Doherty Chairperson of the National Apprenticeship Alliance (NAA) announced the overall ‘Apprentice of the Year’ and presented Leah and 13 other exceptional finalists with a prestigious award in front of a gathering of 500 guests in the Round Room of The Mansion House, Dublin.
Laoibhse O’Malley is now a third-year apprentice at Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty in Ennis.
Commenting on her win Laoibhse said: “Is this the real life! Ireland’s Hairdressing’ Apprentice of the Year’ 2023! I want to say a huge thank you to Bridget Haren and my incredible team at Bridget Haren Hair and Beauty for your continued encouragement and support. I would not be where I am today without you! And thanks to all my mentors in the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship Raheen campus as well as Thomas Downes, Margaret Curtin, Clare O’Brien and Martin Burren. Thank you!"
Laoibhse has proven herself as a young stylist to watch having recently taking first place in the hairdressing category at WorldSkills Ireland in September, with the Generation Apprenticeship ‘Apprentice of the Year award’ instilling further confidence as she makes strides in her career.
Dr Mary Liz Trant, Director of the National Apprenticeship Office said: "The NAO was delighted to present the national ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award for 2023 to Hazel Johnson and 14 exceptional finalists including Laoibhse O’Malley, from a 26,000-strong Generation Apprenticeship community of dedicated apprentices.
"Apprentices are transforming the landscape of Ireland’s skilled workforce, bringing exceptional creativity and innovation, adaptability, leadership, fresh perspectives and a steadfast eagerness to learn that makes them valuable additions to any industry or workforce."